Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3lauded Lincoln, the question under consideration being certain measures introduced by Jefferson Davis on the subject of State Eights and Slavery. Benjamin's address on this occasion occupies several pages of the textit{Congressional Globe, 1859- 60, Part III. The Senator from Louisiana therein charged Douglas with inconsistency and evasion in his debates with Lincoln, referred to bis Jonesboro address as " nonsense " and says Douglas copied from Lincoln's dispute with him. Lincoln had just been nominated for the Presidency. The nomination of Douglas was still in the balance. How far he had lost caste with the Southern leaders is evidenced by this excoriation by Benjamin: I have been obliged to pluck down my idol from his place on high, and to refuse him any more support or confidence as a member of the Democratic party. His adversary stood upon principle and was beaten, and lo! he is a candidate of a mighty party for the Presidency of the United States. One stood on principle— was defeated. To-day where stands he? The other faltered— received the prize, but to-day where stands he? He is a fallen star; we have separated from him. Keferring further to the joint debates and more especially to Lincoln's declarations at Freeport in reply to interrogations of Douglas, regarding his position in the slavery question, he further complimented Lincoln in these words: In that contest, the .candidates for the Senate of the United States in the State of Illinois went before the people. They agreed to discuss the issue; they put questions to each other for answer, and I must say here, for I must be just to all, that I have been surprised in the examination that I have made again within the last few days of this discussion between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, to find that Mr. Lincoln is a far more conservative man...